LGBT Group Trip: Cultural Australia And Mardi Gras 2019

Starting in Melbourne and ending in Sydney, this trip is an amazingly diverse gay adventure! Spend three nights in luxurious accommodations in Melbourne, on the banks of the historic Yarra River.

From Melbourne you will be driven up into the hills to explore the Yarra wine region, and taste the delights it has to offer. The next three nights will be spent in the Outback, experiencing the iconic Ayers Rock and Cave Hill. We take a 4-wheel-drive tour to one of the most historically significant sites in central Australia, and view magnificent cave paintings. The journey finishes with four nights in Sydney! While there you will experience Sydney in the day and night and stay during the weekend of Gay Mardi Gras 2019, immersed in one of the biggest gay parties in the world!

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Group Trip Breakdown

Day 1 - Melbourne

When you arrive at Melbourne International Airport, you will be met by a representative who will take you to the hotel on the banks of the beautiful Yarra River.

In the afternoon you take a city tour around Melbourne followed by afternoon tea with the rest of the group. In the evening, you will have the chance to stroll along the river bank and dine at one of many al fresco restaurants! The rest of the evening will be relaxing, allowing you to adjust to the time difference and recover from the long journey.

Day 2 - Melbourne and Yarra Valley

After breakfast in the hotel, you will head out to the famous Yarra Valley which is renowned for its spectacular wines. Here you will also enjoy a morning tea (which can include something bubbly!) as well as some cheese tasting. You will be given a tour around some of the beautiful valleys.

After the tour, you will enjoy a delicious lunch all prepared from local fresh produce. Afterwards you will head out to a wildlife sanctuary in the Victorian Bush. Here you will be able to experience some of Australia’s famous animals including kangaroos and dingos.

Day 3 - Melbourne

On day 3 you will be given the opportunity to explore Melbourne at your own leisure. This vibrant city is a fantastic place to immerse yourself in! Explore the shops, relax in the hotel spa or test out the local expert cuisine.

If you can’t get enough of the wildlife then why not venture on one of our optional tours to Phillip Island allowing you to experience the well known penguin parade. Watch penguins return to their nesting areas on the beach at dusk. You will also stop at a wildlife park and learn about the local Boonwurrng people who are native to the area.

In the evening you will dine with the group in one of Melbourne’s delicious restaurants

Day 4 - Ayers Rock

After enjoying a delicious breakfast you will head to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. You will then enjoy a casual lunch together during your Alice Springs layover, and then make the short flight to Ayers Rock Airport. Here is where your 3-day Outback adventure begins! You will learn about the mysteries of the oldest inhabitants of this incredible landscape!

You will then visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and will witness the spectacular Uluru (aka Ayers Rock). It is one of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks. Here you will learn about the local flora and fauna.

In the evening you will be taken to a remote part of this vast desert, providing you with the best seat in the house to watch the sunset around Uluru.

As darkness approaches your “Night in the Field of Light” begins. This experience is one you will not forget, as you experience the 50,000 glass spheres of coloured lights sparkle as you indulge yourself in a gourmet outback-inspired buffet. You will then be entertained by a local indigenous performance.

Day 5 - Ayers Rock

After enjoying a delicious breakfast you will head to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. You will then enjoy a casual lunch together during your Alice Springs layover, and then make the short flight to Ayers Rock Airport. Here is where your 3-day Outback adventure begins! You will learn about the mysteries of the oldest inhabitants of this incredible landscape!

You will then visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and will witness the spectacular Uluru (aka Ayers Rock). It is one of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks. Here you will learn about the local plants animals that inhabit the area.

In the evening you will taken to a remote part of this fast desert, providing you with the best seat in the house to watch the sunset around Uluru.

As darkness approaches your “Night in the Field of Light” begins. This experience is one you will not forget, as you experience the 50,000 glass spheres of coloured lights sparkle as you indulge yourself in a gourmet outback-inspired buffet. You will then be entertained by a local indigenous performance.

Day 6 - Cave Hill and Ayers Rock

After a delicious breakfast, you will hop on board your 4-wheel drive safari taking you to Cave Hill taking you deep into the outback which will give you an insight into everyday aboriginal life.

You will meet the Anangu people, and be given an insight into their culture in their desert including traditional food gathering and the preparation of local cuisine. After this, you will witness the magnificent cave paintings which are one of Australia’s most iconic archaeological sites. Climb to the top of Cave Hill to admire panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

After this you will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, and then head back to the lodge at Ayers Rock late afternoon, giving you some chill time before dinner.

Day 7 - Sydney

In the morning after breakfast you will head out to sunny Sydney, famous for its beautiful beaches. After you are checked into the hotel, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the city.

It’s time to party! Mardi Gras will be out in full swing and we will jump at any spontaneous opportunity to party at this colourful festival. You will be given flexibility to do what you want, such as surfing, swimming, shopping, site seeing and bike riding around the city.

In the evening, you will head out to the gay Oxford street district which will be very active during Mardi Gras!

Day 8 - Sydney

After last night’s party antics, you will enjoy a calm breakfast followed by a bus tour around Sydney which will stop at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The tour will finish at the famous Sydney Opera House. Here you will have a tour and discover the making of this magnificent masterpiece.

You will then have a late lunch and dine at Opera Kitchen, which is home to some of the country’s best chefs.

In the evening you will head out for Sydney Harbour’s sensational sunset dinner cruise. You will board your luxury yacht and watch the sunset behind Sydney Harbour Bridge. The cruise concludes with a gourmet barbeque dinner with 5-star services.

Day 9 - Sydney

On day 9 you will start the day with a short trip to The Rocks, just under Sydney Harbour Bridge. You will be led by an Aboriginal guide on a 90-minute walkabout tour around The Rocks and find out about Sydney’s heritage.

The rest of the day will be spent absorbing the fun festival atmosphere. It is hard to put into words how amazing the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is. It’s the world’s largest Mardi Gras celebration and is Australia’s biggest attraction for overseas visitors. This event is a month long, with gay and lesbian cultural, social, and sporting events, culminating in the festive parade and countless parties

This evening, you and the group will enjoy premium grandstand seats for the Mardi Gras parade which attracts a crowd of around 600,000 people!

The parade is followed by an official all-night Mardi Gras party and dozens of unofficial parties around the city. Party tickets are not included with the package, you will be advised on how to get them.

Day 10 - Sydney

Today will be more relaxed allowing you to recover from the previous night! There are some optional excursions which are available for you to go on including the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb giving you views down onto the Opera House and across its magnificent harbour. You are provided with all the equipment and are harnessed in at all times! Your leader will guide you up to the top and point out the famous landmarks which you can see from a totally different perspective!

In the evening you will meet for one last time and exchange storied from all your adventures. This will be followed by a farewell dinner with your new friends.

Day 11 - Sydney

This is your last morning, where you will enjoy your final breakfast together as a group, and then depart for the airport in transfers which are provided. Or for more high adrenaline fun and frolic join our “Wild Kiwi” New Zealand Adventure.

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What next?

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Remember, there is no booking fee for using our expert team to plan and book your trip.

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